Esther 6:1
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַה֔וּא נָדְדָ֖ה שְׁנַ֣ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְהָבִ֞יא אֶת־סֵ֤פֶר הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֔ים וַיִּהְי֥וּ נִקְרָאִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
In that night, the sleep of the king fled, and he said to bring the book of memorials of the words of the days. And they were being read before the king.
Paraphrase: One evening, the king just could not get to sleep. To pass the time, he asked that the historical record books be brought and that someone would read to him from these records. This the servants did, and soon Ahasuerus was happily listening to the stories from the good old days.
Comments:
Esther 6:2
וַיִּמָּצֵ֣א כָת֗וּב אֲשֶׁר֩ הִגִּ֨יד מָרְדֳּכַ֜י עַל־בִּגְתָ֣נָא וָתֶ֗רֶשׁ שְׁנֵי֙ סָרִיסֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מִשֹּׁמְרֵ֖י הַסַּ֑ף אֲשֶׁ֤ר בִּקְשׁוּ֙ לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד בַּמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃
and it was found written what Mordecai revealed about Bigthana and Teresh, two officers of the king, guards of the threshold who sought to lay hand on the king, Ahasuerus.
Paraphrase: Hour after hour the scribe droned on. As he finished one account, he moved on to the next. Even the king was starting to grow weary. “On Thursday, one of the Jewish captives informed the queen that two of the king’s officials, the very men who had the responsibility of guarding the door, were plotting to assassinate the king. (Esther 2:21-23) The names of these two men were Bigthana and Teresh. The queen immediately informed the king. The two men were arrested, tried, condemned, and executed for their treason.” The scribe paused and then moved onto the next record. “The next week, another event happened…”
Comments:
Esther 6:3
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מַֽה־נַּעֲשָׂ֞ה יְקָ֧ר וּגְדוּלָּ֛ה לְמָרְדֳּכַ֖י עַל־זֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ נַעֲרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מְשָׁ֣רְתָ֔יו לֹא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה עִמּ֖וֹ דָּבָֽר׃
and the king said, “What honor of greatness was done to Mordecai for this?” And the young men of the king who were serving him said, “Not a thing was done for him.”
Paraphrase: “Hold up!” said the king who was suddenly all ears. “Back up and read that again.” The scribe quickly obeyed and reread the section about Bigthana and Teresh. “Who did you say was the man who discovered this plot and informed the queen?” the king asked.
“Mordecai,” said the scribe quickly.
“Why have I never heard of him?” asked the king. “Strange sounding name; does anyone know anything about him?”
“Sure,” said one official. “I know him. He is the guy that is always sitting in the king’s gate. He always has a hundred questions for us about the queen. I think he might be related to her in some way.”
“Yes, he’s a Jew just like Queen Esther.” said another.
One person stood and told how he had heard from some of Haman’s attendants that someone with a similar name had greatly offended their master. Evidently, this man, for religious reasons, refused to kneel before Haman. He couldn’t be sure it was the same man, though.
“Well fine,” said the king, “But was any reward ever given this man for what he did for me?”
“There is no record here that anything at all was done for him.” said the scribe.
“What a shame!” said the king. “That could easily have been the end of me, right there.”
Comments:
Esther 6:4
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מִ֣י בֶחָצֵ֑ר וְהָמָ֣ן בָּ֗א לַחֲצַ֤ר בֵּית־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה לֵאמֹ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִתְלוֹת֙ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֔י עַל־הָעֵ֖ץ אֲשֶׁר־הֵכִ֥ין לֽוֹ׃
and the king said, “Who is in the courtyard?” Now Haman had entered the outer courtyard of the house of the king to speak to the king to hang Mordecai on the tree which he had setup for him.
Paraphrase: Just then, there was a noise in the outer courtyard of the palace. The king was still pondering this situation. “Who might that be?” he asked halfheartedly. Now, it just so happened that Haman had just arrived at the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had built for him. (Esther 5:14) Haman was extremely irritated that Mordecai would not give him the respect he deserved. (Esther 5:9)
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Esther 6:5
וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ נַעֲרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֵלָ֔יו הִנֵּ֥ה הָמָ֖ן עֹמֵ֣ד בֶּחָצֵ֑ר וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יָבֽוֹא׃
And the young men of the king said to him, “Behold, Haman is standing in the courtyard.” And the king said, “He may enter.”
Paraphrase: “Haman is standing in the courtyard and requesting audience with the king.” his officials announced.
“Let him in.” said the king, still deep in thought.
Comments:
Esther 6:6
וַיָּבוֹא֮ הָמָן֒ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מַה־לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת בָּאִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֣ץ בִּיקָר֑וֹ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָמָן֙ בְּלִבּ֔וֹ לְמִ֞י יַחְפֹּ֥ץ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת יְקָ֖ר יוֹתֵ֥ר מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
And Haman entered and the king said to him, “What to do for a man whom the king delights in his value?” And Haman said in his heart, “To whom would the king delight to do honor greater than me?”
Paraphrase: Then, the kings officials opened the door and ushered Haman into the king’s presence. He walked proudly into the room and greeted the king. “Great King Ahasuerus, you are the ruler of the entire world; there is no one greater…”
“What would you suggest, Haman,” interrupted the king, “That I do for someone whom I really want to reward for an act of kindness they did for me? I want it to be really grand; something everyone will notice and remember. Haman was taken aback by the king’s interruption but quickly regained his composure. In the back of his mind, He thought that surely the king was thinking of him. Who else could the king possibly want to honor as much as he?
Comments:
Esther 6:7
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הָמָ֖ן אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ אִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ׃
And Haman said to the king, “The man whom the king delights in his value
Paraphrase: Haman had to think quickly. “Good question, king” he said as his mind raced. “This is what I would suggest you do for such a person.
Comments:
Esther 6:8
יָבִ֙יאוּ֙ לְב֣וּשׁ מַלְכ֔וּת אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָֽבַשׁ־בּ֖וֹ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְס֗וּס אֲשֶׁ֨ר רָכַ֤ב עָלָיו֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִתַּ֛ן כֶּ֥תֶר מַלְכ֖וּת בְּרֹאשֽׁוֹ׃
Let the clothes of royalty with which the king was clothed and the horse on which the king rode and on his head let the royal crown be given.
Paraphrase: Have your men fetch the royal robes. I mean the same robes which you, oh king, wear when you are sitting in state. Then let the king’s royal steed be brought to the palace. The same horse you ride when you march in your royal splendor and glory through the streets of the capital. Be sure this horse has the royal crest placed prominently on its head just as is done when you ride.
Comments:
Note the very first word is a jussive.
Also study resumptives.
Esther 6:9
וְנָת֨וֹן הַלְּב֜וּשׁ וְהַסּ֗וּס עַל־יַד־אִ֞ישׁ מִשָּׂרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֔ים וְהִלְבִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ אֶת־הָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֣ץ בִּֽיקָר֑וֹ וְהִרְכִּיבֻ֤הוּ עַל־הַסּוּס֙ בִּרְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר וְקָרְא֣וּ לְפָנָ֔יו כָּ֚כָה יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה לָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ׃
and let the clothing and the horse be given into the hand of a man of the officials of the king, the nobles, and let him clothe the man who the king delights in his value, and let him lead him on the horse through the open places of the city and let him cry out before him, “As thus, it will be done to the man whom the king delights in his value!”
Paraphrase: Then, let the chief of the king’s nobles take these royal robes and place them on the shoulders of this man whom you have decided to honor. Let the king’s chief noble lift this man onto the king’s royal steed and lead him through the city in royal procession. Just as is done for you, oh king, let it be done for this man. Let this chief noble cry out as they pass through the streets, “Bow the knee! Bow the knee! (Genesis 41:43; Esther 3:1-5) This is how the king honors those whom he wishes to reward!“
Comments:
Esther 6:10
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְהָמָ֗ן מַ֠הֵר קַ֣ח אֶת־הַלְּב֤וּשׁ וְאֶת־הַסּוּס֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבַּ֔רְתָּ וַֽעֲשֵׂה־כֵן֙ לְמָרְדֳּכַ֣י הַיְּהוּדִ֔י הַיּוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ אַל־תַּפֵּ֣ל דָּבָ֔ר מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃
And the king said to Haman, “Be quick, take the clothing and the horse just as you said and do, in this manner, to Mordecai, the Jew, who is sitting in the gate of the king. Do not let a word fall from all what you said.”
Paraphrase: “Great idea, Haman!” said the king. “I knew you would understand exactly what I wanted, and you’re just the right man to do this for me. I want you to do everything you just said to Mordecai, the Jew. You might not know him, but I am told you can find him sitting in the king’s gate. Ask my men here if you need help locating him. Go get him, put the royal robes on him, place him on my horse, and lead him through the city in royal procession. Be sure you do everything which you just said; don’t leave any part of it out. It’s exactly what I had in mind; I knew I could count on you; that’s why I like you so much.
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Esther 6:11
וַיִּקַּ֤ח הָמָן֙ אֶת־הַלְּב֣וּשׁ וְאֶת־הַסּ֔וּס וַיַּלְבֵּ֖שׁ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכָ֑י וַיַּרְכִּיבֵ֙הוּ֙ בִּרְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר וַיִּקְרָ֣א לְפָנָ֔יו כָּ֚כָה יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה לָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ׃
And Haman took the clothing and the horse and clothed Mordecai and led him through the open places of the city, and he called before him, “As thus, it will be done to the man whom the king delights in his value!”
Paraphrase: At this word, Haman stood as one transfixed. His mouth opened and shut again. He looked at the king utterly dumbfounded. When the court officials heard the king’s command, they had to stifle laughter since, by now, they had guessed what it was that Haman had come to the palace to do. “What’s wrong, Haman?” asked the king, “Is there a problem?”
“No, sir.” said Haman weakly, “I’ll get right on that.” Then, he turned, motioned to a few of the king’s men, and went back into the palace courtyard. The king’s attendants brought the royal robes and the royal horse. Other attendants went and found Mordecai and brought him to the courtyard. There he was clothed with the royal robes and placed on the king’s steed. Mordecai was completely puzzled at what was happening. At first, he thought his time for execution had come. As the process went on, however, he began to wonder. At one point, he was able to whisper to one of the officials and to inquire what was happening. They hushed him, however, and told him to do as they said. It was the king’s orders. When the royal robes were in place and Mordecai was seated in the saddle, Haman stepped up, took the horse’s bridle, and led Mordecai out of the courtyard and into the city streets. “Bow the knee! Bow the knee!” he cried out. “This is how the king honors those whom he wishes to reward!” Now Mordecai was certain that he was dreaming; he sat on the horse in a state of complete and utter bewilderment.
Comments:
Esther 6:12
וַיָּ֥שָׁב מָרְדֳּכַ֖י אֶל־שַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְהָמָן֙ נִדְחַ֣ף אֶל־בֵּית֔וֹ אָבֵ֖ל וַחֲפ֥וּי רֹֽאשׁ׃
Esther 6:13
וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר הָמָ֜ן לְזֶ֤רֶשׁ אִשְׁתּוֹ֙ וּלְכָל־אֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָרָ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֩אמְרוּ֩ ל֨וֹ חֲכָמָ֜יו וְזֶ֣רֶשׁ אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ אִ֣ם מִזֶּ֣רַע הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים מָרְדֳּכַ֞י אֲשֶׁר֩ הַחִלּ֨וֹתָ לִנְפֹּ֤ל לְפָנָיו֙ לֹא־תוּכַ֣ל ל֔וֹ כִּֽי־נָפ֥וֹל תִּפּ֖וֹל לְפָנָֽיו׃
Esther 6:14
עוֹדָם֙ מְדַבְּרִ֣ים עִמּ֔וֹ וְסָרִיסֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ הִגִּ֑יעוּ וַיַּבְהִ֙לוּ֙ לְהָבִ֣יא אֶת־הָמָ֔ן אֶל־הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשְׂתָ֥ה אֶסְתֵּֽר׃